Is the Schondorfer BürgerBudet running out of air?

Created: 09/16/2022, 14:03

By: Dieter Roettig

One of the realized ideas of the BürgerBudget is the book box in the waiting room of the Schondorf train station.

© Roettig

Schondorf – What quickly became a model for success despite initial skepticism is now threatening to wither away again: the Citizens' Budget "Ideas for Schondorf".

To the regret of the initiators like Jo-Ann Meding or Ellen Rudin.

Are you wondering whether the people in Schondorf have already run out of ideas to help?

After only three years and many successfully implemented projects as well as the adoption of the concept by other municipalities, it could soon be over.

Meding is at a loss: "The submission final for 2023 is on September 30th.

So far, only two ideas have been received.” Ellen Rudin does not give up: “Time is short, but wonderful ideas can still be spun, forged and submitted.” She refers to projects that have already been implemented, such as the vegetable garden, the bookshelf and the drinking water fountain, the refrigerators for saved food, the movement platform at the sports field or the sky loungers on the lake promenade.

Citizen budgets as an instrument of political participation exist in both small and large municipalities.

The procedures are similar: provision of a budget in the budget, legal and statutory examination of the proposals, and public participation in the use of the funds.

In Schondorf, the Citizens' Budget was initiated and overseen by the “Bündnis 90/Die Grünen” parliamentary group.

That should now be changed in order to get more backing from the municipal council, which has again reserved 10,000 euros in the budget.

They want to turn the Citizens' Budget into a cross-party project "and free the perceived project sovereignty from the Greens."

Mayor Alexander Herrmann is also committed to the BürgerBudget: “The format allows us all to talk to each other.

The ideas are publicly discussed and sometimes even improved.

And from the vote on the projects, the municipal council gets a clear picture of the will and will of the people of Schondorf.

The BürgerBudget means participation, i.e. more democracy.”

All citizens over the age of 14 who are registered in Schondorf, non-profit associations or initiatives are eligible to participate.

The ideas in text form, optionally with photos, can be submitted by post or in person at the town hall.

It is more convenient to send an e-mail to vg@schondorf.de with the subject "Ideas for Schondorf".

www.buergerbudget.schondorf-ammersee.de.